An apparatus including a boiler configured to receive water, sodium hydroxide, and aluminum. A generator adjacent to the boiler and configured to generate electricity based on heat received from the boiler. A hydrogen capture system coupled with the boiler and configured to capture hydrogen from the boiler. A fuel cell communicatively coupled with the hydrogen capture system and configured to receive at least a portion of the hydrogen from the hydrogen capture system to generate electricity. A transformer electrically coupled with the generator and the fuel cell.

Some embodiments of the present invention provide solid oxide cells and components thereof having a metal oxide electrolyte that exhibits enhanced ionic conductivity. Certain of those embodiments have two materials, at least one of which is a metal oxide, disposed so that at least some interfaces between the domains of the materials orient in a direction substantially parallel to the desired ionic conductivity.

Some embodiments of the present invention provide solid oxide cells and components thereof having a metal oxide electrolyte that exhibits enhanced ionic conductivity. Certain of those embodiments have two materials, at least one of which is a metal oxide, disposed so that at least some interfaces between the domains of the materials orient in a direction substantially parallel to the desired ionic conductivity.

A fuel cell includes: a membrane electrode assembly including an electrolyte membrane, catalyst layers stacked on both sides of the electrolyte membrane, and two or more porous bodies having different moduli of elasticity and provided on a surface of one of the catalyst layers; a separator defining a gas flow passage between the separator and the membrane electrode assembly; and a frame body surrounding an outer periphery of the electrolyte membrane. A porous body adjacent to the separator out of the two or more porous bodies includes an outer edge portion including an outer extending portion extending to overlap with the frame body. An elastic body is provided between the outer extending portion and the frame body.

The present invention is to provide a hydrogen oxidation catalyst that does not contain platinum. Disclosed is a hydrogen oxidation catalyst that is a dinuclear transition metal complex having a chemical structure represented by the following general formula (1) or (2): ##STR00001##
wherein, in the general formulae (1) and (2), M.sup.1 and M.sup.2 are each independently Fe or Ru; Ar.sup.1 and Ar.sup.2 are each independently a cyclopentadienyl group or a pentamethylcyclopentadienyl group; Ar.sup.3 and Ar.sup.4 are each independently a divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms; and Ar.sup.5 is a monovalent aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and in the general formula (2), R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a monovalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

A method for producing a waterproof and ion-conducting flexible membrane intended for protecting a metal electrode. It comprises a synthesis by electrically assisted extrusion of compact fibers forming an ion-conducting fiber array comprising a first material. The fiber array defines a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. Subsequently, the fiber array is impregnated with a polymer of a second material, to form a metal electrode protection membrane. The fiber array forms paths for conducting ions between the first surface and the second surface and through the second material. The first surface is intended to be in contact with the metal electrode.

A solid ionic conducting material for use in an electrochemical device comprises an oxyhydroxide or hydrated oxide derived from of an oxide with a perovskite, Brownmillerite, layered oxide, and/or K.sub.4CdCl.sub.6 structure, the elemental composition of the initial oxide being selected to provide suitable conduction properties for the derived anhydrous or hydrated oxyhydroxide or hydrated oxide. A method of making such a solid ionic conducting material, including treatment with water, and an electrochemical device incorporating such a solid ionic conducting material (optionally as an electrolyte) are also disclosed.

A single cell C includes a membrane electrode assembly M in which an electrolyte membrane 1 is interposed between a pair of electrode layers 2, 3, and a pair of separators 4 that form gas channels C between the pair of separators 4 and the membrane electrode assembly M, wherein the electrode layers 2, 3 include first gas diffusion layers 2B, 3B of a porous material disposed at the side facing the electrolyte membrane 1 and second gas diffusion layers 2C, 3C that are composed of a metal porous body having arrayed many holes K, and a part of the first gas diffusion layers 2B, 3B penetrates the holes K of the second gas diffusion layers 2C, 3C to form protrusions T. Accordingly, the surface of the electrode layers 2, 3 has a fine uneven structure. As a result, an improvement in liquid water discharging function and an improvement in power generating function were achieved at the same time.

A single cell C includes a membrane electrode assembly M in which an electrolyte membrane 1 is interposed between a pair of electrode layers 2, 3, and a pair of separators 4 that form gas channels C between the pair of separators 4 and the membrane electrode assembly M, wherein the electrode layers 2, 3 include first gas diffusion layers 2B, 3B of a porous material disposed at the side facing the electrolyte membrane 1 and second gas diffusion layers 2C, 3C that are composed of a metal porous body having arrayed many holes K, and a part of the first gas diffusion layers 2B, 3B penetrates the holes K of the second gas diffusion layers 2C, 3C to form protrusions T. Accordingly, the surface of the electrode layers 2, 3 has a fine uneven structure. As a result, an improvement in liquid water discharging function and an improvement in power generating function were achieved at the same time.

A single fuel cell includes: a membrane electrode assembly; gas diffusion layers 3c and 3a that placed on both side surfaces of the membrane electrode assembly, respectively so that an outer peripheral edge portion remains in one side surface of the membrane electrode assembly; an adhesive layer formed to cover the outer peripheral edge portion; and a support frame fixed on the adhesive layer. The support frame includes: a support frame body made of resin; and coating layers formed to cover both side surfaces of the support frame body, respectively. The support frame is fixed on the adhesive layer so that the support frame is spaced from the gas diffusion layer on the one side surface of the membrane electrode assembly, and the single fuel cell further includes a protecting layer formed to cover an end of the interior portion of the support frame body.